Conservation science and research

Accelerated corrosion tests in progress. These tests are used to screen the display and storage materials so that they don’t harm our collections

The principles and techniques we use to care for our collections are based on scientific research. In the conservation science department, we apply the results of this research to advise on the most appropriate environment for displaying and storing collections. We monitor environmental conditions, and test display materials and cases to make sure they are safe for our collections. We organise insect pest monitoring at the different National Museums Liverpool venues and sites, to protect the collections from insect infestations.

We investigate objects from the collections to discover how they were made, to identify the nature of previous restoration or to find out the causes of deterioration. We use techniques such as X-radiography, light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy to study objects, and reveal information about their history.